Court temporarily stops NGO’s board decision to cancel KHRC registration

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NGO coordination board Executive Director Fazul Mahamed. COURTESY

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHCR) got a bit of a reprieve after high court temporarily suspended the NGO’s National Coordination Board decision to revoke its registration.

While issuing the orders, Justice Chacha Mwita said that the court has to intervene so that the commission can continue with its operations.

KHCR which had been closed over allegations of tax evasion moved to court seeking to have the decision by NGO Executive Director Fazul Mahamed overturned on grounds that it is a violation to fair hearing.

In the petition, the commission says it received a letter on August 14 from the board with the notification that its certificate will be canceled.

The commission further says that the move to close it down is damaging its image a renowned organization internationally.

KHCR terms the move of the board highly prejudicial and illegal.

In an affidavit by the KHCR Executive Director George Mong’are Kegoro, the respondents have continued to exercise powers of the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Immigration Department and the Central Bank of Kenya.

The commission claims that the NGO’s board has subjected the commission to harsh and depressive treatment thereby violating its right to dignified and humane treatment as guaranteed in the constitution.

The NGO board has been named as the respondents in the case whereas the Law Society of Kenya has been as interested party.

KHCR registration was revoked just a day after the NGO board also shut down AfriCOG.